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To highlight the work Creation Grantees are doing in their communities, the Creation Community Grants Team sends out Q&A forms so they can share their experiences creating and carrying out their projects. Today we are featuring responses from Deya, Joslynn and Kalani of Project Pryde.
Community: Six Nations of the Grand River
Grant Type: Entrepreneurship & Social Enterprise Funding Stream
Q: Tell us about your group and project!
A: Project Pryde provides hands on training in film, media and tech for Indigenous students located on Six Nations of the Grand River. Established June 5 2024, our first project was funded by Six Nations Development Corporation which highlighted Indigenous fathers through lacrosse. Through speaking with parents, the children got involved in the filming – for example, a professional lacrosse player would come to our studio, and say, “Hey, my son’s really into this stuff.” They bring their son and their son says, “I want to learn about this!” More and more kids started to return to this group, then we registered and created the program. We hope to motivate, encourage and equip Indigenous students on Six Nations of the Grand River with the tools and skills needed to thrive in the world of film, media and tech.
“We hope to motivate, encourage and equip Indigenous students on Six Nations of the Grand River with the tools and skills needed to thrive in the world of film, media and tech.”
Q: Is there a project example that you have in mind that inspires you?
A: When I was younger, there was an Indigenous version of Dragon’s Den. I won one of those projects and I was always a big fan of Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank. So ever since then I wanted to make a show like that, but to make a show like that, you have to learn film, media, and tech. So I went to school for music production and business management. I also learned film and video later on in life. And I also went to school for marketing, so I just kind of combined all these educations together. Prior to going to school for music production and business management, I was working in social work as a Primary Prevention Assistance Worker in my community. So I’ve already had previous experience working with youth from the age of 13 to 21.
“We received the Generational Award from NPAAMB for our work with helping the next generation with skills they need to create videos and content they want to see within their community, therefore creating community pride. The whole purpose of Project Pryde is to create projects that bring pride and meaningfulness to your community.”
Q: What is something you have learned?
A: Many youth want to be heard and want to be seen in the world of film, media and tech however they do not have the tools needed and their parents do not have the technical computer skills to assist them or guide them in the right direction.
Q: What is one piece of advice you would share with other youth who want to run a project?
A: Every grassroots organization starts with an idea, don’t let the lack of funding or support determine if your idea is good or not. Some will not see the vision until you show them the blueprint.
Q: Is there any milestone or achievements you’d like to share?
A: Just recently, we received the Generational Award from NPAAMB for our work with helping the next generation with skills they need to create videos and content they want to see within their community, therefore creating community pride. The whole purpose of Project Pryde is to create projects that bring pride and meaningfulness to your community.
Q: That’s amazing. And you talk really well about it. I can see why the podcast is a success. I’m wondering if you ever reached out to radio or if it was highlighted on a radio station?
A: In 2016, I actually started one of the radio stations on Six Nations, Jukasa Radio. I was one of the four original people who started radio station. I was like the main producer for that radio station, and I was the only Indigenous voice at the time. And ever since then I’ve been training more Indigenous voices to basically try to go through and create other content.
Q: Are you looking to expand it right now or in the future?
A: Project Pryde wants to reach additional southern Ontario partners, to connect students (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) to lacrosse teachings and produce promotional material for schools to use in getting more funding. We combine mental health wellness, physical wellness through sports, cultural teachings and digital storytelling skills.
Now the next part of Project Pryde is creating the Creator’s Game Ambassador Program, where essentially we’re going to have a group of youth who know the game of lacrosse, who can take the game of lacrosse and go to a community that is non-Indigenous, play with the non-Indigenous students, and then we will also have professional athletes and professional commentators there to talk about lacrosse and talk about playing professionally as well. Also elders will be present so that they can tell the message of the actual Creator’s game. And that will be going to non-Indigenous schools in southern Ontario starting in January.
We would love to take it to other Indigenous communities. Most recently, we went to Kahnawake and we interviewed four Indigenous athletes, and that Kahnawake team travelled to Calgary and won the Founder’s Cup. One of the athletes that was interviewed, Kaymen Diabo, has since been signed to National Lacrosse League. You can watch the interview on Youtube!
Q: Feedback from participants/Other Comments:
A: They loved the opportunity to do something different that normally is very expensive, and we were able to offer it for free.
